Disposal or change
of use of playing field
and school land
Departmental advice for local authorities,
maintained schools, special schools,
academies and free schools
May 2015
Contents
Summary
4
About this departmental advice
4
Expiry or review date
5
Who is this advice for?
5
Policy
6
Transactions for which you will need consent
7
Disposals
7
Changes of use of playing field land
8
Criteria used to assess playing field applications
9
The school’s needs
9
Curriculum needs
9
Other schools’ needs
9
Community use
9
Reinvestment of proceeds in sport and education facilities
10
Value for money
11
Affordability
11
Application and assessment processes
12
The School Playing Fields Advisory Panel
12
Annex A: definition of playing field land
14
What is playing field land?
14
Annex B: legal framework for the disposal of playing field land
16
Disposals
16
Changes of use
16
Annex C: area guidelines for playing field land at existing schools and academies
18
Annex D: playing field consultation guidelines
20
Annex E: General Consent Orders
21
Annex F: General Consents: Section 77 School Standards and Framework Act 1998
22
Annex G: General Consents: Schedule 1 Academies Act 2010
26
Annex H: General Consent for disposal of school playing fields by restriction
28
Further information
30
2
Other relevant departmental advice and statutory guidance
30
Useful resources and external organisations
30
3
Summary
About this departmental advice
1.
This is departmental advice from the Department for Education. This advice is
non-statutory and sets out the Secretary of State’s policy to protect school playing fields
and the Secretary of State’s powers to protect land for academies and maintained
schools.
2.
Prior written consent of the Secretary of State for Education is required to dispose
of land (which includes any transfer/sale of freehold or leasehold land and the
grant/surrender of a lease). Applications and notifications must be made to the Education
Funding Agency. Before making an application (or giving notification) to the EFA you
should read this summary which explains the evidence you will need to provide and the
process to follow.
3.
This advice describes the main circumstances in which local authorities, academy
trusts, governing bodies and diocesan bodies need to obtain the prior written consent of
the Secretary of State for Education to dispose of, or change the use of, land used by
maintained schools and academies, including playing field land. It also describes how the
Secretary of State will assess applications for such consent.
4.
This advice does not influence or affect the procedures for applying for planning
permission. The Secretary of State for Education does not have any statutory powers to
influence any future development of land.
5.
This advice has been produced to help you understand your obligations and duties
in relation to:
•
Schedule 1 to the Academies Act 2010 (“AA 2010”)
•
Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (“SSFA 1998”)
•
Schedule 14 to the Education Act 2011
•
the General Consent Orders 2011, 2012 and 2014
•
the Education (Independent Schools Standards) England (Amendment)
Regulations 2012
•
‘Advice on Standards for School Premises’, March 20151
1
The 2015 advice refers to the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 (SPRs) that apply to all
schools maintained by a local authority and Part 5 of The Education (Independent School Standards)
(England) Regulations 2010 (ISS)
4
Expiry or review date
We plan to review this advice by May 2016.
Who is this advice for?
This advice is for:
•
local authorities
•
academy trusts
•
diocesan authorities
•
governing bodies of maintained schools
•
School Playing Field Advisory Panel
•
sporting bodies
5
Policy
6.
The 2015 advice on standards for school premises confirms that all maintained
schools and academies must provide suitable outdoor space to enable physical
education in accordance with the school curriculum and to enable pupils to play outside.
There is a very strong policy presumption against the disposal of school playing field
land.
7.
The Secretary of State for Education uses the definition of “playing field land” set
out in SSFA 1998 as “land in the open air which is provided for the purposes of
physical education or recreation.” Annex A provides examples of what this definition
includes. You should note this is a wide definition and it does not matter if the land is not
currently in use for sport or recreation or is not laid out for formal team games.
6
Transactions for which you will need consent
Disposals
8.
The requirement for the Secretary of State’s consent applies to all maintained
schools and academies 2 where it is proposed to dispose of publicly funded land 3. Annex
B summarises the legal framework but you should take independent legal advice if you
are unsure about any of your statutory obligations. You will need to apply to or notify the
Education Funding Agency (“EFA”) of any intended transaction to dispose of any playing
field land, and you should not assume that approval will be granted. You should not take
any step to transfer your interest to another party or start works before receiving the
Secretary of State’s decision in writing.
9.
The Department for Education publishes a list of all disposals that have been
granted consent since May 2010 and updates this each month.
10.
A local authority may notify the EFA if it believes a General Consent Order
applies, but otherwise, the Secretary of State will consider all applications and make a
decision that balances the benefit to the school (or other local schools) against the loss of
the playing field land. Three General Consent Orders currently issued can be found at
annexes F, G and H.
11.
The Secretary of State may direct that the land is to be used for another
educational purpose and what should happen to any receipts, having regard to the
sufficiency of playing field land at the applicant’s school or those close to it and any
representations made including from any authorised community users.
12.
You should read Annex C on how to calculate the need for playing field land and
the guidance on consultation at Annex D. You should note that the Secretary of State is
unlikely to approve applications that result in the school’s playing field provision falling
under the area guidelines, and also has the power to direct that the disposal should
simply not take place. You should discuss your proposals with Sport England at an early
stage as they will be involved as a statutory consultee when you submit any planning
application.
2
Under Schedule 1 to AA 2010, the prior consent of the Secretary of State for Education is required to
dispose of any land – whether or not it is playing field land.
3
Including land which was originally private but has been enhanced by public funds as set out in Schedule
22 to SSFA 1998 and Schedule 1 to AA 2010.
7
Changes of use of playing field land
13.
The Secretary of State’s consent is also required for a change of use of playing
field land, whether for another educational purpose or a non-educational purpose.4
14.
General Consent Orders apply to some situations on land owned by the local
authority. If the conditions set out in the Order are met, the local authority will be able to
notify the EFA using the process explained below.
4
s.77 School Standards and Framework Act as amended by the Education Act, 2011
8
Criteria used to assess playing field applications
15.
The criteria which the Secretary of State uses to decide an application are the
same for all publicly funded school playing field land. The Secretary of State will consider
the overall balance of benefit of the disposal against expected gains, to pupils and
existing community users.
16.
The criteria applied to the decision will include the area guidelines for a school’s
outdoor space (Annex C). Schools occupying restricted sites may need to demonstrate
they have access to suitable off-site provision. The criteria include:
The school’s needs
17.
By reference to area guidelines, worked examples of how to calculate this are set
out below. The guidelines give an indication of what is a suitable amount of space, and
any disposal that would reduce the space below the guidelines is unlikely to be approved.
The guidelines provide for some flexibility and potential growth in pupil numbers: they are
based on the higher of (a) 105% of the current capacity, or (b) forecast pupil numbers
five academic years after the application. Artificial pitches are counted as double their
surface area to reflect their extended availability as they can be used all year round.
Curriculum needs
18.
Applications for consent to dispose of playing field land should include a detailed
assessment of how the proposal would affect the provision of the sports curriculum, and
show clearly how the curriculum will be met if consent is granted. You will need to show
that the curriculum needs are met at the school seeking to dispose of playing field land
and any other school using the land. For example, where alternative off-site provision is
proposed, the effect of additional travel time should be taken into account.
Other schools’ needs
19.
As part of your consultation exercise, you will need to identify if any primary
schools and special schools within half a mile, or secondary schools within a mile of your
site, do not meet the DfE’s published area guidelines for playing field land. If any of them
do not, you must provide evidence from the governing body of those schools that they do
not need the land which you propose to dispose of.
Community use
20.
The Secretary of State will take account of community use of playing fields under
an authorised agreement. This will include after-school activities and out-of-hours clubs.
9
If your proposals include a permanent loss of playing fields, you will be asked to show
that any existing after-school activities will not be adversely affected.
21.
A formal agreement to use the playing fields may be written or oral. The essential
test is that the land is used with the express authorised agreement of the school or
academy.
22.
If your proposals would displace any current authorised community users, you will
need to show how the proposals would affect them and, in particular, whether their
activities can realistically be moved elsewhere on reasonable terms. If realistic alternative
venues cannot be provided, you should give reasons why the Secretary of State should
grant consent. Where fencing off of playing fields has already displaced formal
community users, you will need to provide evidence giving reasons why the playing fields
were closed to those users, and whether the alternative arrangements made are suitable.
23.
When considering whether to make a direction about land that is proposed to be
disposed of at maintained schools or academies which have closed or are due to close,
the Secretary of State will consider whether the views of existing community users of any
playing field land have been taken into account, and whether reasonable alternative
arrangements have been offered.
Reinvestment of proceeds in sport and education facilities
24.
The Secretary of State has the discretion to direct what any sums from the
disposal of land (“disposal proceeds”) are to be used for, including that all disposal
proceeds are paid to the Secretary of State. Unless pursuant to a General Consent Order
or otherwise agreed beforehand by the EFA all applications must include a recent
valuation report prepared (preferably) by the District Valuer, or alternatively another
Registered Valuer, together with a breakdown of how proceeds will be invested. The
Secretary of State will expect that the first priority for reinvestment should be sports
facilities where these are needed by the school. A significant factor in exercising this
discretion to dispose of playing field land will be whether you ring-fence the disposal
proceeds in capital facilities for sport (which will take priority), recreation or education
facilities. This investment may be at the school or academy or, where this is not practical
or existing facilities do not require investment on site, in facilities that will benefit another
maintained school or local academy. Any proposed new facilities should reflect the
breadth of physical activity and existing facilities in the area – Sport England can advise
on the need for strategic facilities in the area.
25.
Sport and recreation can include indoor or outdoor sport, play or activities such as
dance and other activities that help engage people in a wide spectrum of physical
activity. Applicants should remember, in particular, their duties under the Equality Act
2010.
10
Value for money
26.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the disposal of publicly funded land
satisfies the requirements in the Treasury’s publication Managing Public Money.
Affordability
27.
Where you propose to spend any disposal proceeds on a capital project, the
Secretary of State will expect the project to be affordable, with no funding gap that could
jeopardise the financial stability of the school or academy. The affordability
considerations must take into account the restrictions on the use of income from disposal
of capital assets that are described in the Treasury’s publication Consolidated Budgeting
Guidance chapter on “Income and the Capital Budget”.
11
Application and assessment processes
28.
The Secretary of State’s decision is informed by the EFA’s assessment of the
information you provide using the forms.
29.
Where your proposal is to dispose of playing field land, you will be expected to
have consulted adequately on the proposals before making any application for consent.
Annex D provides guidelines that should be followed.
30.
When you submit the form, you will need to give the EFA all the information it
needs to assess your application for it to be registered and assessed. The EFA asks for
this information with the application form to reduce the number of times it has to ask
applicants for more information or clarification. You should note that the EFA’s time for
assessing applications for the disposal of playing fields will vary according to the type of
transaction. Where you meet the criteria of a General Consent Order, you should
normally receive confirmation soon after submission. Some applications may take longer
to assess including when further evidence may be sought. The Secretary of State may
ultimately decide not to grant consent. You must not take any steps to dispose of the land
before you have received the Secretary of State’s written consent or a notification of her
decision to make a direction regarding the land.
31.
Once you have submitted your application, you will be notified of who is managing
the case at the EFA, a reference number to quote in any further communications and an
indicative timescale for the Secretary of State’s decision.
32.
Whether you are applying to dispose of land under s.77 of SSFA 1998 or
Schedule 1 to AA 2010, your application will be assessed using the criteria set out in
section 6 of this guidance.
The School Playing Fields Advisory Panel
33.
The EFA and the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel (see below) use the same
criteria as set out in this advice. S.77 applications are referred to the independent School
Playing Fields Advisory Panel which has no decision making or executive function. The
Chair of the Panel acts as an impartial and independent Chairman and is appointed by
the Secretary of State. The Panel comprises representatives of:
•
Fields in Trust
•
Learning through Landscapes
•
Local Government Association
•
National Association of Head Teachers
12
•
Sport and Recreation Alliance
•
Sport England attends each Panel meeting in an observer capacity.
34.
The purpose of the Panel is to provide the Secretary of State with independent,
objective advice on the merits of each application to dispose of school playing fields, and
the Panel makes a recommendation to the Secretary of State.
35.
Ministers consider the Panel’s advice alongside a range of other issues. The
existence of the Panel makes it unnecessary for applicants to consult any of these
organisations prior to application.
13
Annex A: definition of playing field land
What is playing field land?
1.
The EFA adopts the definition in s.77(7) of SSFA 1998 being ‘land in the open air
which is provided for the purposes of physical education or recreation, other than any
prescribed description of land’. It will include:
•
grass pitches and artificial surface pitches set out for the playing of sports;
•
hard surface games courts including multi-games courts, tennis courts, netball
courts and hard paving marked out for games;
•
informal and social areas, including grassed areas, paved areas (including
playgrounds), outdoor seating and teaching areas including rest and quiet areas;
•
marginal areas, around the edges of playing fields for run-off and to allow for the
cyclical realignment of pitches;
•
habitat areas, set aside for the formal teaching of nature or informal curriculum
purposes, including meadowland, wildlife habitats (including ponds), gardens,
nature trails and outdoor science areas. Allotment gardens are included in the
definition as well as woodland habitat areas;
•
local authority parkland or other open space that is used, or has been used in
the last ten years, for the purposes of a maintained school.
2.
A sports pitch will naturally form part of a school’s playing fields and means an
area of:
•
open grassed land that is capable of forming a small pitch of at least 2,000m² (the
Football Association’s recommended area for games played by under-10’s). Its
configuration and topography should make it suitable for a sports pitch, whether it
is laid out or not; or
•
synthetic or artificial playing surface, or dedicated hard games court of more than
that is set out for team games.
3.
Hard play area means incidental recreation area with tarmac, concrete or paved
surface. It does not include areas provided mainly for any type of sport.
4.
Enclosed social area means social areas, not used for any type of sport, which
are enclosed on at least 3 sides by school buildings.
5.
By contrast, examples of land that is non-playing field land includes:
•
land on which a building or other structure stands including sports halls, indoor
and outdoor swimming pools and incidental land that is functionally linked to such
buildings or structures;
14
•
soft landscaped or grassed areas not suitable for use for physical education or
recreation purposes, such as marginal waste land outside a school’s physical
boundary fence and ornamental or other flower beds which directly surround a
building or which are connected to a caretaker’s house, and
•
roads, car parks, paths, and hard standing areas for storing waste containers.
15
Annex B: legal framework for the disposal of playing
field land
1.
This annex outlines the statutory basis for the protection of playing fields at
existing maintained schools and academies. You should seek independent legal advice if
you need further explanation.
2.
There are two pieces of legislation, explained below, that require any school or
academy to obtain the Secretary of State’s consent to dispose of playing field land.
Disposals
3.
Schedule 1 to the Academies Act 2010 (AA 2010). This applies to academies
(which include Studio Schools, University Technical Colleges, Free Schools and Special
Schools) seeking consent to dispose of any publicly funded land, including playing field
land. It also applies to (among others) academy trusts, local authorities, governing
bodies, and foundation trusts that hold land for academies.
4.
Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (SSFA 1998) This
applies to local authorities, governing bodies and trustees (such as those who hold land
for voluntary and foundation schools) seeking consent to dispose of land that is being
currently used or has been used for playing fields for the purposes of a maintained
school in the last 10 years. If a maintained school has converted to an academy, s77 will
only apply to a local authority in respect of any playing field land leased from the local
authority until the 10-year period has expired. Both during and after the expiry of the 10year period Schedule 1 to AA 2010 will apply to the disposal of any land held by any
person for the purposes of an academy, whether or not it is playing field land. The same
assessment criteria will apply to all applications to dispose of playing field land before or
after the ten year period has expired.
5.
s.77 of SSFA 1998 applies to all schools maintained by a local authority including
voluntary schools, foundation schools and special schools. Where a school site is surplus
to requirements, normally as a result of closure, amalgamation or consolidation, consent
to dispose of the land is required under paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to AA 2010.
Changes of use
6.
s.77(3) of SSFA 1998 provides that a local authority, governing body, foundation
body or trustee of a foundation, voluntary or foundation special school may not “take any
action…which is intended or likely to result in a change of use of any playing
fields…whereby the playing fields will be used for the purposes which do not consist of or
include their use as playing fields by a maintained school for the purposes of that school.”
So a local authority may not erect new school or other buildings on playing fields, or
16
change their use, without prior consent under s.77(3). (Some changes of use are covered
by General Consent Order (No 5) 2014 but only if they are set out in the Schedule to that
Order.) A change of use to, for example, a residential care home is not covered by
s.77(3) and requires a full application.
7.
s.77 of SSFA 1998 does not apply to academy trusts, but it does apply to local
authorities. Therefore, if an academy trust holds playing field land under a lease from a
local authority, and if the land was used by a maintained school at some time in the
previous 10 years, the local authority will need consent to change the use of the land (for
example, to build a classroom on the land to address basic need pressures). If the
proposed change of use would take the land out of academy use (for example, if a
community centre is to be sited on the land), the academy trust will require consent under
paragraph 17 of Schedule 1 to AA 2010, and the local authority will also need consent
under s 77 of SSFA 1998.
8.
If the circumstances described in one of the Class Consents Orders applies and
where conditions are met, the applicant is to confirm this to the EFA when applying.
17
Annex C: area guidelines for playing field land at
existing schools and academies
1.
The Department for Education has published non-statutory area guidelines for
existing maintained schools and academies on the recommended size of playing fields.
Some schools may not be able to meet the guidelines, but they are still expected to have
access (including possible hire of facilities off-site) to meet their curriculum needs and
meet the requirements in the Premises Regulations. New schools are to meet the
standards in BB103.
2.
The guideline is made up of two elements: a base area and an area per pupil,
adjusted for the age of the pupils. An example is shown here for each type of school or
academy. For all-through schools or academies, the base area for each age group is
9,000 m2.
3.
An application has to include type of playing field land (not just land laid out for
sport). Artificial (all weather) pitches are able to be included at double their superficial
area as they can be used more than a grass pitch throughout the year.
4.
Grassed sports pitches should also be capable of sustaining the playing of team
games by pupils at each school that use those pitches for 7 hours per week during termtime
18
Table 1: area guidelines for playing field land at maintained schools and academies (KS=Key Stage)
KS2:
KS1:
mainstream
schools and
academies
Number of pupils
(105% of existing
capacity or 100%
of future capacity
5 academic years
from application
date. NB The
need is to be
based on
the higher figure.
mainstream
schools and
academies
90 x 1.05 =
95
120 x 1.05 =
126
KS3-KS4 &
post 16:
mainstream
schools and
academies
1,000
(current
capacity) x
1.05 = 1,050
KS1
Special
Schools
(including
academies)
KS2–KS4,
post 16 &
Special
Schools
(including
academies)
120
250
but
1,600
projected
pupil
numbers =
1,600
So, use
1,600
2,000 m2
2,000 m2
9,000 m2
2,000 m2
2,000 m2
11 m2
50 m2
50 m2
11 m 2
50 m2
Base area
2,000 m2
2,000 m2
9,000 m2
2,000 m2
2,000 m2
Pupil area
(95 x 11) =
1,045 m2
(126 x 50) =
6,300 m2
(1,600 x 50)
= 80,000 m2
(120 x 11) =
1,320 m2
(250 x 50) =
12,500 m2
2,000
2
m 1,045 m2
3,045 m2
2,000
=9,000 m2
2,000 m2
=2,000 m2
m 8,300
80,000 m2
1,320 m2
12,500 m2
2
89,000 m2
3,320 m2
14,500 m2
= 0.83 Ha =
2.03 acres
= 8.9 Ha
= 0.33 Ha
= 1.45 Ha
= 21.98 acres
= 0.82
acres
= 3.58
acres
Base area
Area per pupil
Total
recommended
area required
Hectares
Acres
= 0.30 Ha
= 0.75 acres
2
2
m 8,300 m
Table 2: stage, age and year group
Stage
Age
Year group
Early Years Foundation Stage
Ages 3 to 5
Nursery and reception
Key stage 1
Ages 5 to 7
Years 1 and 2
Key stage 2
Ages 7 to 11
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Key stage 3
Ages 11 to 14
Years 7, 8 and 9
Key stage 4
Ages 14 to 16
Years 10 and 11
Post-16
Ages 16 to 18
Years 12 and 13
19
Annex D: playing field consultation guidelines
1.
Any applicant proposing to dispose of playing field land must consult adequately.
The Secretary of State expects the consultation period to be no less than 6 weeks, 4 of
which should be in term time. In all cases, you will need to provide evidence of the
means of consultation and the results before any application will be assessed.
2.
The Secretary of State expects consultation to be open and transparent. This
means you should have consulted relevant stakeholders on any proposal before
requesting consent to dispose of any land defined as playing fields.
3.
Consultation is to be within one year of any application for consent to dispose of
the land, so it reflects the up to date views of local people. Evidence will be expected to
be provided of the results of consultation with:
•
the headteacher
•
the chair of the governing body, (evidence of the decision of the governing body or
academy trust will be required as part of your application)
•
parents of pupils attending the school or academy
•
any group or organisation with permission to use the playing field
•
the local community generally
•
any minor authority in whose area the playing field is situated
•
the local authority in whose area the playing field is situated and adjacent local
authorities likely to be affected
•
any publicly funded primary schools and special schools within a half-mile radius
and secondary schools within a mile radius of the playing field if their current
playing field provision falls below the minimum area recommended in the
guidelines.
4.
Possible methods of consulting include use of the local press, direct contact with
parties such as staff, pupils and parents, other local maintained schools and academies
and the local authorities and inviting the public to a meeting. The results of the
consultation should be summarised where required by the EFA.
20
Annex E: General Consent Orders
1.
The Secretary of State has agreed that some types of disposal fall within the type
where she would routinely expect to grant consent. Accordingly, she has agreed General
Consent Orders (GCOs) which provide a blanket consent in these cases. These are only
available to those who require consent under s.77 of the School Standards and
Framework Act, 1998 and Schedule 1 of the Academies Act 2010. These are: local
authorities and academies holding their land under a lease from the local authority,
governing bodies and foundation trusts. The applicant is to notify the EFA that they
consider a specific GCO applies. If you would like to notify the EFA that a GCO applies,
this is to be done using the EFA’s online notification and application process. The EFA
has sought to mirror the simple requirements that apply to GCOs to applications for
consent to those who do not fall under s77 so it is no more burdensome for academies
owning the freehold of their land.
2.
There are currently three General Consent Orders:
2.1. The School Playing Fields General Disposal and Change of Use Consent
(No 5) 2014. This applies only to the changes of use falling into one of the ten
types set out in the Schedule to that General Consent Order.
2.2. The Academies General Disposal and Appropriation Consent (No 2) 2012.
This applies only to land to which sub-paragraph 4(2) of 6(20 of Schedule 1 of the
Academies Act, 2010 applies, where the disposal or appropriation is of one of the
five types specified in the Schedule to the General Consent Order.
2.3. The General Consent or Disposal of Playing Fields by Restriction 2011.
This applies only to entering a Restriction where circumstances where a grant has
been awarded for the purposes of upgrading the playing fields (or facilities on
them).
3.
Each of the GCOs is provided in Annexes F-H below.
21
Annex F: General Consents: Section 77 School
Standards and Framework Act 1998
The School Playing Fields General Disposal and Change of Use Consent (No 5) 2014
1.
The Secretary of State for Education, in exercise of the powers conferred on her
by section 77 (5) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, hereby grants the
following consent.
2.
This consent comes into force on 1 October 2014 and may be cited as “The
School Playing Fields General Disposal and Change of Use Consent (No 5) 2014”.
3.
In this consent:
•
‘the 1998 Act’ means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998
•
‘change of use’ means a change of use falling within section 77(3) of the 1998 Act
•
‘playing fields’ has the same meaning as in section 77(7) of the 1998 Act
4.
Consent is hereby granted to the disposal or change of use of playing fields to
which section 77(1) or (3) of the 1998 Act applies, where the disposal or change of use is
of a description specified in the Schedule.
5.
This consent is granted subject to the condition that body disposing or changing
the use of the playing field provides the Secretary of State with:
a) details of the location and area (in square metres) of the playing fields to be
disposed of or have their use changed
b) the area (in square metres); of the remaining playing field land
c) detail of the total site area of the school (in square metres)
d) details of the number of pupils on the school’s roll
e) the date or proposed date of the disposal or change of use
f) an explanation as to why the body thinks that the disposal or the change of use
is covered by a class consent
g) a plan clearly showing the area in question in relation to the whole of the school
site
h) where the disposal or change of use is at an operating school, the views of the
head teacher and governing body.
22
6.
The School Playing Fields General Disposal and Change of Use Consent (No.4)
2012 (as amended) is hereby revoked.
Schedule
1.
The disposal of hard play areas and enclosed social areas and other ancillary
social and recreation or habitat areas that surround the buildings at closed or closing
school sites provided that either:
a) no other schools share or border the site
b) the body seeking to dispose of the land can satisfy the Secretary of State that
the areas in question are not needed by any other schools which share or
border the site
‘Hard play area’ means incidental recreation area with tarmac, concrete or paved
surface. It does not include areas provided mainly for any type of sport.
‘Enclosed social area’ means social areas, not used for any type of sport, which are
enclosed on at least 3 sides by school buildings.
2.
The grant of an easement and/or a way leave over playing fields where such land
is required for the purpose of constructing, maintaining or servicing a highway, or for
health and safety requirements or enabling provision of gas, water or electricity.
3.
Temporary disposal or change of use of a school playing field provided that:
a) the lease or temporary change of use is for no longer than 3 school terms;
b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the school is still able to carry out the
curriculum to at least the same extent
c) the land is returned to at least the same condition that it was beforehand
4.
The disposal of an area of land less than 50m², where such land is required for
purposes of constructing, maintaining or servicing a highway, or for health and safety
requirements or enabling provision of gas, water or electricity.
5.
The disposal of playing fields to an organisation which does not have the principal
purpose of making a profit from commercial sports schemes when the following
conditions are met:
23
a) the terms of the disposal agreement provide that any school or community
user group using the playing fields in the 6 months immediately before the
transfer may continue to do so for at least 10 years following the date of the
disposal, during which time they will have access to the playing fields for at
least the same periods and on the same, or more favourable, terms as they
did before the disposal; and either
b) the constitution of the receiving organisation obliges that organisation to
maintain them as playing fields; or
c) the terms of the disposal agreement require that organisation to maintain them
as playing fields for at least 10 years from the date of disposal; or
d) the disposal is to a local authority and the receiving authority has given an
undertaking that the playing fields will continue to be used as
school/community playing fields for at least 10 years from the date of disposal
6.
A disposal which involves the granting of a leasehold interest in the whole school
site, including the playing fields to facilitate an agreement under a Private Finance
Initiative, provided there is no net loss of school playing fields.
7.
The disposal or change of use of playing fields (“the original playing fields”) where,
upon that disposal or change of use, any school which used the original playing fields in
the 6 months immediately before the disposal will have made available to it newly
created, alternative playing fields, provided that all of the following requirements are met:
a) the replacement playing fields are of at least the same area as the original
playing fields
b) the replacement playing fields are capable of sustaining 7 hours use a week
per school that will have use of those playing fields
c) the replacement playing fields are immediately available to any schools which
used the original playing fields on the same, or more favourable terms as the
original fields had been
d) the replacement playing fields have the same or better standards of facilities
as the original playing fields
e) the location of the replacement playing fields is such that the schools using
them are able to carry out the curriculum to at least the same extent as they
were on the original playing fields
f)
there is no reduction in the amount or type of sports provision currently
available to the schools who used the original playing fields
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8.
The disposal of playing fields where they are not a school’s own provision of
playing fields but fall within Section 77 only by reason of a school’s temporary or
occasional use of them.
9.
‘School’s temporary use’ means use as a school’s main playing fields for a
maximum of 3 school terms in the last 10 years or use only whilst the school’s own
playing fields could not be used by the school for reasons outside the school’s or local
authority’s control.
10.
‘School’s occasional use’ means either an infrequent and informal use without
prior agreement, or a formal use but only by specific pupils or for a set purpose on an
infrequent basis.
11.
The change of use of playing field land to allow the reconfiguration of school sites,
where the following conditions are satisfied:
•
after the project is completed the school will have at least the same size and
quality of playing field land as it had before - there must be no net loss
•
there is no disposal of school playing field land
•
the local authority and/or school ensures that the requirements of the School
Premises Regulations 2012 continue to be met
12.
The disposal of an interest in land in favour of a person for the purposes of an
academy for no [or nominal] consideration where an Academy Order has effect in respect
of a maintained school which uses the land and the school is to be an academy.
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Annex G: General Consents: Schedule 1 Academies
Act 2010
The Academies General Disposal and Appropriation Consent (No 2) 2012
1.
The Secretary of State for Education, in exercise of the powers conferred on him
by Schedule 1 to the Academies Act 2010, hereby grants the following consent.
2.
This consent comes into force on 31 October 2012 and may be cited as “The
Academies General Disposal and Appropriation Consent (No 2) 2012”.
3.
In this consent:
•
‘the 2010 Act’ means the Academies Act 2010
•
‘appropriation’ means an appropriation of land under section 122 of the Local
Government Act 1972
•
‘a disposal’ includes entering into a contract to make a disposal or granting an
option to make an acquisition
4.
Consent is hereby granted to the disposal or the appropriation of a freehold or
leasehold interest in land to which sub-paragraph 4(2) or 6(2) of Schedule 1 of the 2010
Act applies, where the disposal or appropriation is of a description specified in the
Schedule.
5.
This consent is granted subject to the condition that the local authority disposing of
or appropriating the land provides the Secretary of State with:
a) details of the location and area (in square metres) of the land to be disposed
of or appropriated; and
b) details of the total site area (in square metres) of the school or former school;
and
c) the date (or the proposed date) of the disposal or appropriation; and
d) an explanation as to why the local authority thinks that the disposal or the
appropriation is covered by a general consent
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Schedule
6.
The disposal of an interest in land in favour of a person for the purposes of an
academy for no [or nominal] consideration where an Academy Order has effect in respect
of a maintained school which uses the land and the school is to be an academy
(including free schools, studio schools and university technical colleges).
7.
The disposal in respect of land consists of a grant of a lease to facilitate an
agreement under the Private Finance Initiative or a Public Private Partnership.
8.
The disposal or appropriation of an area of land [which is part of a single school
estate or land title] less than 250 square metres provided that the following qualifications
are met:
a) the disposal or appropriation is not part of a disposal or appropriation of a
larger area of land;
b) the land to be disposed of or appropriated does not, taken together with any
areas of land in which the local authority holds a leasehold or freehold interest
which have been disposed of in the last 5 years, form a combined area of 250
square metres or more; and
c) the land to be disposed of or appropriated does not constitute an access to an
area of land in which the local authority have a leasehold or freehold interest
and which consists of an area of 250 square metres or more
9.
For the avoidance of doubt, any disposal of an interest in land by a local authority
in order to fulfil its statutory duty; for example, under paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to the
School Standards and Framework 1998 Act to transfer to an existing voluntary aided
school any premises which it is providing for that school to use by way of assistance.
10.
The disposal of an area of land less than 50 square metres where such land is
required for purposes of constructing, maintaining, or servicing a highway, or for health
and safety requirements or enabling provision of gas, water or electricity.
27
Annex H: General Consent for disposal of school
playing fields by restriction
In the exercise of his powers under section 77(5) of the School Standards and
Framework Act 1998, the Secretary of State for Education gives the following consent.
This consent may be cited as the General Consent of Disposal of Playing Fields by
Restriction 2011 and comes into force on 22 August 2011.
In this consent:
•
“the Act” means the School Standards and Framework Act 1998
•
“person” includes a body of person corporate or unincorporated
•
“restriction” means Restriction in the Register of Title kept by the Chief Land
Registrar in accordance with the Land Registration Act 2002
Consent is given in relation to the disposal of any playing fields to which section 77(1) of
the Act applies, where the disposal consists only of a person entering a Restriction in
relation to the playing fields (to apply to any subsequent disposal of them), in
circumstances where that person has awarded a grant for purpose of upgrading the
playing fields (or facilities thereon).
This consent is given subject to the following conditions.
1.
Prior to the disposal, the body (or trustees) disposing of the playing fields provides
the Secretary of State with:
a) the name and address of the school and the address of the playing fields to be
disposed of (if different);
b) a plan of the site on which the playing fields are situated;
c) the proposed date of the disposal;
d) the reason for the disposal;
e) the wording of the proposed Restriction;
f)
2.
a copy of the undertaking referred to below
Prior to the disposal, the person entering the Restriction provides the body (or
trustees) disposing of the playing fields with a written undertaking that they will not
withhold consent to a subsequent disposal of the playing fields to another
maintained school or an academy, where the governing body (or trustees) of that
maintained school or the proprietor of that academy agree in writing:
28
a) that the playing fields will continue to be used by that maintained school or
academy as playing fields in accordance with the conditions of the grant,
failing which they will repay the grant; and
b) to the entering of a Restriction, in the same terms as the original Restriction, to
apply to any subsequent disposal of the playing fields.
29
Further information
Other relevant departmental advice and statutory guidance
•
Glossary and terminology
•
Property Information Notes and forms
•
2015 advice on standards for school premises
•
Academies Act 2010
•
School Standards and Framework Act 1998
•
Education Act 2011
•
General Consent Orders 2011, 2012 and 2014
•
Education (Independent Schools Standards) England (Amendment) Regulations
2012
Useful resources and external organisations
•
HMT: Managing Public Money
•
HMT: Consolidated Budgeting Guidance
30
© Crown copyright 2015
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Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. Where we have identified any
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holders concerned.
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